Informal caregiving factors grandmothers associate with challenges of caring for their grandchild(ren) /

by Scherer, Kristina Lynn.

INFORMAL CAREGIVING: FACTORS GRANDMOTHERS ASSOCIATE WITH CHALLENGES OF CARING FOR THEIR GRANDCHILD(REN) By Kristina L. Scherer This qualitative study explored and promoted the understanding of factors that grandmothers associate with the challenges of caring for their grandchild(ren) in an informal arrangement (i.e. caring for children other than your own with no judicial involvement). Initially, this study focused primarily on three specific challenges that have been previously identified in literature: financial, legal, and support networks. However, upon data collection, emergence of additional and/or alternative challenges were identified and eight themes emerged. In doing so, convenience and snowball sampling were utilized to recruit participants (Creswell, 2003). Subsequently, indepth interviews were conducted with eleven (n=11) grandmothers caring for their grandchild(ren) in an informal arrangement. In follow-up, a mini individual focus group consisting of four of the 11 participants were held. Findings from this study can be used to assist social service agencies in developing and/or enhancing current programs designed for grandmother caregivers living in an informal arrangement coupled with enhancing kinship grandmother’s visibility in society.